This experimental prototypical house called GREENbuild is specifically developed and constructed by Tulane School of Architecture-students for post-Katrina New Orleans. Students first researched everything from construction processes to materials selection parameters. In the end, Tulane Green Build came up with a design for a 1,200 sf home with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.

Situated on the corner lot of 1939 Seventh Street, the GREENbuild house was designed to maximize solar orientation, privacy, and the scale and character of the surrounding homes. It will have plenty of green amenities, including photovoltaics, solar water heating panels, ceiling fans and ventless HVAC system, and an all-fluorescent lighting scheme.

The following is a description from the project’s website:

//Student

‘The studio was comprised of 17 graduate-level students in their final year of the Tulane Masters of Architecture Program. Each student spent the Fall 2006 semester researching sustainable and modular housing and designing multiple schemes based on that research, ultimately creating one architectural solution that evolved from the process. The Spring 2007 semester was spent building the modular house in a warehouse setting and transporting and instituting it on the 7th and Daneel site of Central City, New Orleans .

//Mission

Katrina destroyed or severely damaged over 130,000 homes in new Orleans . As of mid 2006 less than 30,000 of those houses had been repaired or rebuilt. If New Orleans is to become a whole city again then there is a real and rapid need for innovative new housing construction. This offers an unprecedented opportunity that few cities have had, to rebuild in responsible and imaginative new ways. To benefit this rebuilding, the studio will research, develop and construct an inventive and experimental prototypical house.

//Research

The fall semester began with an intensive research period. Research was conducted in the areas of modular construction, prefabrication processes, with an emphasis on eco-friendly building materials and methods. Students research issues such as automobile manufacturing to products like ductless HVAC systems and everything in between. Findings were collected and compiled; each building component rated according to price, transportability, ease of construction and eco-friendly qualities.

//Design

Working as individuals, in small groups and as an entire studio team, students spent weeks designing an affordable, eco-friendly and modular 1200 square foot home. The three bedroom, two bath, living/ kitchen/ dining program required students to maximize every square inch of space. Considering the homes modularity the program was divided into three modules, to be prefabricated in a warehouse space and shipped to the site. The three modules arranged on a long and narrow lot give careful consideration to solar orientation, privacy, and the scale and character of the surrounding neighborhood. Taking into consideration the homes affordability, the design fully incorporated off the shelf materials and straightforward methods of construction. The design is a result of green building techniques and modularity that can adapt to different sites with ease and at an affordable rate.

//Concept

The 1200 square foot prototype is composed of three separately built modules: a combination living/ dinning/ kitchen space, a two- bedroom module with a shared bath, and a master bedroom suite. After fabrication in the warehouse, these modules will be delivered to the site and fitted together.

The three modules will be arranged on a typical 30′-0” by 100′-0” lot with careful consideration of solar orientation, privacy, and the scale and character of the surrounding neighborhood. The living/ kitchen/ dining module slips past the double bedroom module to share the bathroom. The master bedroom module is positioned to the rear of the others to offer privacy and to enable its conversion into a separate rentable space through the addition of a kitchen.

//Eco-Friendly Features

The studio’s strongest emphasis is on eco-friendly approaches, and how those specific conditions impact our larger environment over time. This research developed an appropriate climactic and cultural prototype, one that could be produced and developed by the prefabrication industry for New Orleans .

The home’s form derives from eco-friendly and affordable design strategies optimized for modular construction and delivery methods. The roof is one of the principal passive component of this approach. Its butterfly shape provides rainwater collection as it also responds to the climatic conditions of the site. The higher pitch at the northern exposure allows for clerestory windows that light the living/ kitchen/ dining and master bedroom modules. By contrast, the lower pitch on the southern side helps to block the high, hot summer sun in the bedroom module. Operable screened windows are carefully placed to maximize cross-ventilation and reduce energy consumption.

Recycled and low-impact building products will be used throughout along with FSC lumber and other eco-friendly strategies. A highly insulated building envelope using cellulose, along with insulated, low-e windows will further help reduce the house’s energy cost.

Active energy-efficient and energy-producing components that will be used in the new home are photo-voltaics and solar water heater panels located on the south-facing roof. Ceiling fans will be used throughout the house along with a ventless HVAC system. An all-fluorescent lighting strategy will be used to reduce electrical consumption.

Considering the tropical climate of new Orleans the home’s design incorporates a generous multi-level porch. With a deep overhang for shelter from the southern sun the upper, more private, level of the porch is an extension of the living room. The lower, more public level continues the porch culture New Orleans is famous for.’